A recent report by app intelligence firm Sensor Tower estimated that Tik-Tok added 188 million users in the first quarter of this year.

TikTok is currently not available for new downloads on the app stores after the MeitY asked Apple and Google to disable the downloads of the app.

NEW DELHI: TikTok, stuck in a legal tussle, and a ban invoked by the Madras High Court continues to be used extensively in the country with the app's engagement rates still in millions, people familiar with the developments said.

Officials familiar with the developments at the company said its over 120 million existing users continue to use the app extensively in the country. Tik Tok is currently not available for new downloads on the app stores after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) asked Apple and Google to disable the downloads of the TikTok app from the App Store and the Google Play Store respectively.

Officials at the company said it is hopeful of a 'very good outcome' in the case which has reached the apex court, given the app's 'skyrocketing popularity'.

"Tik Tok has penetrated the cultural consciousness of people not just in tier 1, but tier 2, tier 3 cities. It has become an app for every man and we have been able to do that in less than a year. Tik Tok is everywhere from lanes in Connaught Place, Delhi, to a place like Surat which has a creator with over half a million followers," an official working at the company said.

"We are mindful of the local laws and regulations but what we are trying to say it that it has made a phenomenal impact in the everyday lives of Indians. In the lives of the 120 million monthly active users that we serve. We are an app for people to showcase their creativity and bring their imagination to life," the official added.

The ban was invoked by MeitY after the Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay an earlier order by the Madras High Court that asked the Indian government to ban the TikTok app for spreading inappropriate content. The Madras High Court on Tuesday had refused to stay the ban on the app and appointed an independent counsel to the case.

As per data shared with ET by app analytics firm App Annie, between April 1-18, Tik Tok still ranked #1 in terms of downloads on Google Play within social (Applications) and #1 in iOS under the photos and video category in India.

Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on April 3 had also issued directions prohibiting the media from telecasting the videos made using Tik Tok and asked if the Government would enact a statute, like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, enacted by the United States, to prevent the children becoming cyber/online victims.

A cyber security expert said it seemed that the court's order had been followed in letter but not in spirit by MeitY as children (existing users) could still have access to the app. "It is not a complete ban considering the app's current user base," he added.

A recent report by app intelligence firm Sensor Tower estimated TikTok added 188 million users in quarter one of this year.